Tomko2Travel

  Just Another Sea Day to Puerto Montt February 4, 2020 We awake to another day of eating breakfast, socializing, reading, then eating lunch followed by... Yep, just another sea day and not bad wind and wave conditions at all.  The outside temps were a little warmer as we travel toward the more northern lattitudes of the Southern Hemisphere.  How strange is that?  From living north of the Equator, you know you will have colder weather if the winds are from a north, northeast or northwest direction or when one travels to more northern states.  It is the opposite down here in the Southern Ocean and South American lands.  I thought it strange when a tour guide in Ushuaia commented that the predicted north wind will give us a warmer day.  It took me a bit to get my head around that.  Okay, now I get it!  If the wind is from the South, it blows from Antarctica and its cold down there. It's a good day to Promenade - that is to get some exercise by ...

Through the Drake Passage to the Atlantic Ocean February 2, 2020 Sleeping in this morning was easy for a change as we had no where to go and nothing to do on this third sea day.  Overnight the Jupiter cleared the southernmost tip of Argentina in the Drake Passage and was heading to The Falkland Islands in the Atlantic Ocean.  No land was in sight.  Just water and more water through which our ship gently rocked and swayed.   So what do we do on another sea day?  Not much it turned out.  Saw lots and lots of birds while hoping to see whales.  (Never did.) First Year Giant Petrel steering with one foot. Wandering around the ship, I snapped some photos of more areas where one could eat and drink.  Below is the inside portion of the Aquavit Terrace.  Its another spot with a view if its too cold to sit outside. And then there is the Pool Grill with bar and seating. Here is a lovely replica model of our ship the Viking Jupiter located  on ...

The Volunteer Point Attempt February 3, 2020 Land Ho Falkland Islands and a gorgeous sunrise from our stateroom balcony while we enjoyed room service breakfast.   We arrived in the Falkland Islands after traveling 849 nautical miles over two days from Ushuaia, Argentina by way of circumnavigating Cape Horn.  Known as the Islas Malvinas to Argentines, the Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory comprising almost 800 small islands.  Visitors to the main island of East Falkland can experience the British warmth in Port Stanley's pubs.  There are about 200 sheep for every person in this starkly beautiful archipelago, yet the Falklands are also known for their biological diversity.  Five penguin species call the islands home, from the king penguins that waddle along Volunteer Beach to the Gentoo and Magellanic penguins on farther shores as well as numerous other bird species. Below is the view of Port Stanley from our anchorage in the outer harbor. The...